Transportation Energy Optimization Plan

In 2014 a business plan was developed to upgrade of the City’s High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lights to LED street lights along major roads. The business plan presented to the Civic Works Committee on December 16th 2014 and the financial plan was presented on May 20th 2015.

The top photograph shows King Street east of Wellington Street with HPS street lights and the bottom photograph is after the LED street light upgrade.

Phase 1 of the LED Street Light Upgrade was completed in May 2016. This involved 9,276 street lights on major roads. The 2017 energy costs avoided is expected to be $950,000 in 2017.

Installation of the Phase 2 LED street lights will start in July 2017 and be completed in the fall. Phase 2 involves upgrading 10,600 High Pressure Sodium cobra-style street lights on minor roads.

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What are LED street lights?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes. LED street lights are energy efficient, have long life spans and produce better colour and light quality than typical High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lights.

What are the benefits of the LED street light upgrade project?

More even and efficient distribution of light and better quality of light

Innovations in LED technology and production methods have resulted in dramatically reduced pricing for cobra-style LED street lights in recent years. Upgrade incentives along with energy savings result in a payback period of 6 to 7 years.

How many street lights will be replaced with LED street lights?

There are over 36,000 street lights in London. Phase 1 of the LED Street Light Upgrade involved 9,276 cobra-style street lights on major roads and was completed in May 2016. Upgrade of the remaining cobra-style street lights (10,600) is expected to start in July 2017 with a fall completion date.

Which street lights are being upgraded?

Phase 1 of the LED Street Light Upgrade included cobra-style (light fixture is over the road) on major roads such as Wonderland Road, Commissioners Road, Highbury Avenue, Oxford Street, etc. Phase 2 includes the remaining cobra-style street lights. The mass upgrade of the post-top street lights to LED fixtures is not planned at this time.

What are the anticipated installation impacts for my neighbourhood?

Impacts to residents and business should be minimal. Proper traffic control will be in effect, with clear signage directing motorists around the installation sites.

What is being done with the HPS street lights that are being removed?

The existing HPS street fixtures are being recycled at qualified environmental disposal centres.

How much will the city save when the LED street light upgrade is complete?

The energy cost avoidance from the Phase 1 upgrade is expected to be $950,000 in 2017 with 5,500,000 kilowatt-hours of energy saved. It is expected that Phase 2 of the upgrade will result in an additional annual energy savings of 3,400,000 kilowat-hours and a cost avoidance of $650,000 in 2018.

Will the LED street lights reduce or contribute to light pollution?

Cobra-style LED street lights direct more light downward which reduces the amount of light that shines into the night sky.